Ghetto Puppet

Jolie is Dagny Taggart

2006-09-25T06:51:00.000-07:00

From Variety:

Angelina Jolie is set to star in the film adaptation of Ayn Rand's iconic tome "Atlas Shrugged" for Lionsgate.

LibertyFilter.com ceasing syndication

2006-07-09T12:26:00.000-07:00

LibertyFilter.com will stop syndicating other blogs.

SCOTUS: Cops no longer need to knock, announce themselves before bursting into your home

2006-06-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

Actually, maybe they DO have to do so, but if they don't, there is no penalty and any evidence seized by them in such a case can still be used. From SCOTUSBLOG:

The Supreme Court, in a 5-4 decision, ruled on Thursday that a violation by the police of the "knock-and-announce" rule when they enter a home with a warrant does not bar the use of evidence gathered in the search. "What the knock-and-announce rule has never protected...is one's interest in preventing the government from seeing or taking evidence described in a warrant. Since the interests that were violated in this case have nothing to do with the seizure of the evidence, the exclusionary rule is inapplicable," Justice Antonin Scalia wrote in the majority opinion in Hudson v. Michigan (04-1360) -- a case that had been argued twice during this Term. A part of Scalia's opinion, saying that the result was dictated by the Court's prior precedents, had the support of only three other Justices.

What it means to be "governed"

2006-06-08T08:07:00.000-07:00

Saw this on LiveJournal and thought it deserved to be reposted here...

"To be GOVERNED is to be watched, inspected, spied upon, directed, law-driven, numbered, regulated, enrolled, indoctrinated, preached at, controlled, checked, estimated, valued, censured, commanded,by creatures who have neither the right nor the wisdom nor the virtue to do so. To be GOVERNED is to be at every operation, at every transaction noted, registered, counted, taxed, stamped, measured, numbered, assessed, licensed, authorized, admonished, prevented,forbidden, reformed, corrected, punished. It is, under pretext of public utility, and in the name of the general interest, to be placed under contribution, drilled, fleeced, exploited, monopolized, extorted from, squeezed, hoaxed, robbed; then at the slightest resistance, the first word of complaint, to be repressed, fined, vilified, harrassed, hunted down, abused, clubbed, disarmed, bound, choked, imprisoned, judged, condemned, shot, deported, sacrificed, sold, betrayed, and toc rown all, mocked, ridiculed, derided, outraged, dishonored. That is government; that is its justice; that is its morality."

- P. J. Proudhon, "General Idea of the Revolution in the Nineteenth Century"

Woman cited for hunting without a license, for shooting alligator that snuck in her house and attacked her dog

2006-05-18T07:53:00.000-07:00

From the Washington Post:

an alligator walked through the doggy door of a woman's house in Bradenton and went for her golden retriever. The woman grabbed a shotgun and blazed away. The alligator escaped with a flesh wound. The neighbors heard shots and called police, who promptly cited the woman for hunting without a license.

The hell? Maybe the cop was one ticket away from reaching his quota? What the hell is wrong with this country?

Sometimes I get all the Bush Administration spying programs confused.

2006-05-15T12:45:00.000-07:00

Comment in response to this story: NSA Whistleblower: More Illegal Surveillance Programs:

That’s a whole completely different program entirely and has nothing to do with the NSA.

Oh, okay. Sometimes I get all the Bush Administration spying programs confused.

Florida to ban questioning DUI results?

2006-05-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

Too many people criticizing your methods? Simply ban them from doing so! From the Orlando Sentinel:

By a unanimous vote, the House outlawed the release of computer-software secrets at the core of the breath-alcohol machine used by every law-enforcement agency in the state.

---

For 11/2 years, defense attorneys have argued in counties across Florida that state law required prosecutors to release the software information. Without it, there's no way to know whether the breath-alcohol test unit works properly, they said.

A few judges, especially in Seminole County, agreed, banning juries from learning about breath-alcohol test results if the state didn't surrender the Intoxilyzer 5000's software source code.

Prosecutors said they couldn't release the source code because they didn't have it. The machine's manufacturer, CMI Inc. of Owensboro, Ky., says the code is a trade secret.

The legislation passed Thursday requires prosecutors to release details about breath-alcohol test results, but not about how the machine works. It also bans judges from ordering prosecutors to produce any information not in their possession.

NASA blocks Cryptome file as "Terrorist"

2006-05-04T08:21:00.000-07:00

Check this out. NASA deems it to be "Militant/Extremist/Terrorist".

I tried to visit it earlier today at work, and Websense blocked it as "Illegal or Questionable"...

Yelling "POLICE"

2006-05-02T07:09:00.000-07:00

I've been reading about this "Cory Maye" case, where a guy shot some cop who bust into his house. There is controversy about whether or not the police announced themselves before busting in.

My question: What's to keep an armed robber, rapist, or murderer, from shouting "police" to gain entry to someone's house? I mean, if they said "Open up, it's the police!" people might be more willing to open the door, whereupon the bad guy can simply shoot them in the face and leave.

So what's the big deal about yelling "Police"? It seems meaningless, if you have no proof the people at your door really ARE police.

I am now #1 in Google for search terms "Ghetto Puppet"

2006-04-28T10:15:00.000-07:00

Woohoo! I'm so proud.

Hey, do you wanna come over and play with my Wii?

2006-04-27T13:54:00.000-07:00

This just in: Nintendo has changed the name of their upcoming console from the "Revolution" (which is kinda cool) to the "Wii" (to be pronounced "Wheee"!)

Breaking News: AR Governor Huckabee is a Dick

2006-04-27T13:30:00.000-07:00

Okay, I feel bad. That's not exactly breaking news - it's been public knowledge for a long time.

But it's been recently brought to the fore yet again. This story, from DailyKos, proves the point.

The Arkansas Times is an alt weekly newspaper which, in the past, has been critical of the Governor. Now he's being punitive and retaliating, by cutting off their access to (taxpayer funded) press information!

From the DailyKos:

It's official. Gov. Mike Huckabee is refusing to provide routine media services to the Arkansas Times. The newspaper has been stricken from the e-mail lists for routine news releases, public scheduling and other items widely disseminated to members of the public and the media.

The Times then quotes Huckabee's spokeswoman, Alice Stewart, on the matter:
We don't consider the Arkansas Times a news organization. By your own definition, you are a journal of politics and culture. As you said, there are hundreds of news outlets in the state and we don't attempt to notify every one of them. The major news organizations are on our e-mail list and that's the way it will continue.

Well, la di da, Ms. Stewart. Petty putdown, well done.

The larger issue, of course, is not missed by the Arkansas Times, which notes: "The governor has decided to punish us for our opinions by withholding a publicly financed service." Yes, taxpayer money goes to fund a press office, which holds a responsibility to keep Arkansas residents informed of the governor's schedule, policy proposals and stands on legislative action. The burden is not on an outlet to "prove" its legitimacy; it's on the governor's office to make sure as many citizens as possible are aware of what their state government is up to.

We don't consider the Arkansas Times a news organization.

Guess what, dumbass, that's not your call to make. If you can decide that the AT isn't a real news organization, then guess what? I just decided Huckabee isn't a real governor.

Rumor Mill: Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt to star in "Atlas Shrugged" movie?

2006-04-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

At least, that's the rumor from Total Film...

Atlas Shrugged, an apocalyptic vision of the future by US novelist Ayn Rand, has long been seen as an almost impossible tome to film. And Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are rumoured to be interested in playing the leads.

We've heard rumors for years of an "Atlas Shrugged" movie, but of course they've remained rumors - probably because adapting AS would be such a monumental task.

But now that "Lord of the Rings" has been done, it may have opened a few eyes as to what can be done, even with VERY LONG books.

I was interested to learn about Jolie & Pitt's interest in Ayn Rand/Atlas Shrugged. I searched around and couldn't confirm Pitt's interest, but Jolie has mentioned several times that she enjoys the book. With Pitt & Jolie behind it, who knows what could be done?

Tennessee Supreme Court Overturns ID Roadblocks

2006-04-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

Story here.

On Thursday, the Tennessee Supreme Court unanimously found the use of roadblocks to check identification papers, driving licenses and automobile registrations to be unconstitutional.

Great news. Here's more info:

The high court overturned Hayes' conviction because it did not believe, contrary to police claims, that the primary purpose of the checkpoint was safety. The evidence showed the roadblocks were successful instead at issuing expensive tickets.

--

The court saw no evidence that the checkpoint increased the safety of residents, nor that the crime was solely being conducted by "outsiders."

SECRET POLICE: L.A. to Keep Secret Names of Police Involved in Shootings

2006-04-24T08:20:00.000-07:00

From the LA TIMES:

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Police Commission sent mixed signals today about its new policy of withholding the names of officers involved in shootings, as it affirmed the policy adopted in secret last year with a formal, public vote.

So: Now a secret informant, who you can't face yourself, can lie to the police that you're a drug dealer or something. That informant is probably just saying what the prosecutors want to hear, because he's got a sweet deal to rat out people to avoid jail. Police dressed up in para-military gear can come to your house in the dead of night and bust in without knocking. One of them can shoot and kill you, secure in the knowledge that his name will never be made public.

Secrecy, lies, and obfuscation throughout - this is out "criminal justice" system today.

Bush anoints self "The Decider"

2006-04-18T15:12:00.000-07:00

more here...

I hear the voices and I read the front page and I know the speculation but I'm the decider and I decide what is best and what's best is for Don Rumsfeld to remain as the Secretary of defense.

First off, there goes Bush again saying he hears voices. He's previously said he speaks to God and God tells him to attack Iraq. Based upon his rantings alone I'd say we have a good 25th Amendment cause to remove him from office.

Second, "Decider"???

Third, when have any of his decisions actually turned out well? Why should we trust him to make proper decisions? He hasn't done it yet, I see no indication he is gonna start anytime soon.

"Decider".

Google Calendar

2006-04-13T08:26:00.000-07:00

Google Calendar is now live, and let me tell you, it rules.

Bush's Iran Plans

2006-04-10T07:16:00.000-07:00

From the New Yorker:

The Bush Administration, while publicly advocating diplomacy in order to stop Iran from pursuing a nuclear weapon, has increased clandestine activities inside Iran and intensified planning for a possible major air attack.

----

One of the military’s initial option plans, as presented to the White House by the Pentagon this winter, calls for the use of a bunker-buster tactical nuclear weapon, such as the B61-11, against underground nuclear sites.

The next Iraq? We'll have to wait and see, but I wouldn't put anything past this guy.

Teen girls could be charged for real-life Super Mario Brothers

2006-04-03T06:54:00.000-07:00

Growing up, one of my favorite things to do was play "Super Mario Brothers" with my friends. Now, some teen girls trying to bring SMB to the real world, as an April Fools Day prank, could be in big trouble. Story here.

Five teenage girls from Portage County face potential criminal charges after attempting to play a real-life version of Super Mario Bros.

The Portage County Hazardous Materials Unit and Bomb Detection Unit were called in to downtown Ravenna on Friday morning after seventeen suspicious packages -- boxes wrapped in gold wrapping paper with question marks spray painted on them -- had alarmed residents.

And that's a crime?

The Ravenna Police Department will be working with the Portage County Prosecutor's Office regarding possible criminal charges as a result of the game.

I want to hear what these charges are. Having unapproved fun in a police state? Actually, I'm betting they'll charge the girls with "littering" to save face, so this doesn't look like the huge waste of time it really is.

Government Lies

2006-03-31T14:51:00.000-08:00

From an interesting thread started at Metafilter, discussing a speech from John J. Mearsheimer:

"...international lying takes four forms.

Inter-state lyingis where states lie to each other to gain strategic advantage.
Fear-mongering is where foreign policy elites lie to their own public because they believe that the people do not recognize the seriousness of an external threat and they need to be motivated to deal with it.
Nationalist myth-making is where elites tell lies about their state’s history to help foster a powerful sense of national identity among all segments of society.
Anti-realist lying is where elites attempt to disguise brutal behavior carried out in pursuit of realist (or other) goals, because it conflicts with widely-accepted liberal norms.

Study: Prayer Power Doesn't Work, May Actually Be Harmful

2006-03-31T08:43:00.000-08:00

I knew those "prayer warriors" were full of it.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A study of more than 1,800 patients who underwent heart bypass surgery has failed to show that prayers specially organized for their recovery had any impact, researchers said on Thursday.

In fact, the study found some of the patients who knew they were being prayed for did worse than others who were only told they might be prayed for -- though those who did the study said they could not explain why.

New White House Chief of Staff's Weird Fetish

2006-03-31T07:41:00.000-08:00

From ABC News:

Bolten may become Washington's hottest new personality. Behind the glasses and businesslike demeanor is a guy devoted to his Harley motorcycle who's fanatic about bowling. His office coffee-table book is a children's best-seller, "Walter the Farting Dog." The vanity photos on the wall are all of Bush's hands, not his face.

Anyone know more about this story?? How bizarre. Pictures of Bush's hands?

Student falsely accused of dealing drugs kills self

2006-03-27T07:35:00.000-08:00

Another victory in the "War on Drugs".

Government spends over $2 million researching prayer healing

2006-03-24T09:12:00.000-08:00

From MSNBC. It's not a joke.

Arkansas Teachers Forbidden from Mentioning Evolution, Age of Rocks

2006-03-23T13:25:00.000-08:00

From the Arkansas Times:

Teachers at his facility are forbidden to use the "e-word" (evolution) with the kids.

That's pretty bad, right? It gets worse.

They cannot even use the term "natural selection."

And worse.

"I am instructed NOT to use hard numbers when telling kids how old rocks are. I am supposed to say that these rocks are VERY VERY OLD ... but I am NOT to say that these rocks are thought to be about 300 million years old."

45 Days in Jail for wearing Tookie Williams T-Shirt

2006-03-23T12:47:00.000-08:00

From the Denver Post:

A community activist was jailed Wednesday for 45 days by an Adams County judge for wearing a T-shirt in court with a photograph of executed killer Stanley "Tookie" Williams and the word "redemption."

The judge apparently asked him to remove the shirt, and he refused, citing an obscure law known as the "First Amendment". The judge can be forgiven for not knowing of this law, which has become irrelevant and outdated in the past few years.

Bush: Exit from Iraq will be responsibility of "future presidents"

2006-03-21T12:47:00.000-08:00

more here.

Q: Will there come a day, and I'm not asking you when -I'm not asking for a timetable. Will there come a day when there will be no more American forces in Iraq?"

BUSH: That, of course is an objective, and that will be decided by future presidents and future governments of Iraq.

I wonder how far into the future?

Teen punk mugger defeated by marathon runner

2006-03-17T10:40:00.000-08:00

This story brightened my day.

A 37-year-old marathon runner who had just put in 10 kilometers in a London park chased down a 17-year-old mugging suspect.

The teenager collapsed after two miles while Glyn Roberts was still going strong, The Mirror reported.

"He kept turning around and had this stunned look on his face," Roberts said. "He couldn't believe I was still chasing him. Eventually, he slowed down and fell to his knees. He was knackered. He begged me to let him go, but that wasn't going to happen, not after I had run so far."

Cops arresting people for public intoxication INSIDE BARS!

2006-03-16T09:38:00.000-08:00

Irving officers and state agents targeted 36 bars and clubs Friday and arrested some allegedly intoxicated patrons before they departed the businesses.

What's next - IRS arresting people before they've even filed their tax forms?

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission agents arrested 30 people Friday night. Most of the suspects now face charges of public intoxication.

The agents and Irving police officers traveled from bar to bar and worked undercover, according to an NBC 5 report.

The report also said that some agents shared tables with suspected drunken patrons. Some patrons were subjected to field sobriety tests inside bars.

Story here. Disturbing, to say the least.

Big Shock: US Presence in Iraq is Oil-Related

2006-03-15T11:38:00.000-08:00

Unless Iraq has got some other export that is vital the U.S. that I don't know about...

Abizaid also said the United States and its allies have a vital interest in the oil-rich region.

"Ultimately it comes down to the free flow of goods and resources on which the prosperity of our own nation and everybody else in the world depend," he said.

Story here.

The Bush Administration's Hatred of a Free Press

2006-03-15T11:18:00.000-08:00

This is a guest column from J. Bishop.

I've been reading reports that have scared me.

The Bush Administration have been moving in the direction of outlawing/punishing people for discussing and compiling declassified or unclassified information. Not just that, but accusing news gatherers and reporters of "aiding terrorism". I see this as an attack on the first amendment, and we should all fight it.

ITEMS 1: DefenseTech article.

Last summer, a U.S. Colonel in Baghdad told me that I was America's enemy, or very close to it. For months, I had been covering the U.S. military's efforts to deal with the threat of IEDs, improvised explosive devices. And my writing, he told me, was going too far -- especially this January 2005 Wired News story, in which I described some of the Pentagon's more exotic attempts to counter these bombs.

None of the material in the story -- the stuff about microwave blasters or radio frequency jammers -- was classified, he admitted. Most of it had been taken from open source materials. And many of the systems were years and years from being fielded. But by bundling it all together, I was doing a "world class job of doing the enemy's research for him, for free." So watch your step, he said, as I went back to my ride-alongs with the Baghdad Bomb Squad -- the American soldiers defusing IEDs in the area.

Okay. This colonel accuses a reporter, who simply reporting PUBLICLY AVAILABLE FACTS of being an enemy of America, doing the terrorist's work for them, and basically threatens his life (what else is "Watch your step" supposed to mean to an embedded reporter who gets on the Army's bad side?)

More from the same article:

Today, I hear that the President and the Pentagon's higher-ups are trotting out the same argument. "News coverage of this topic has provided a rich source of information for the enemy, and we inadvertently contribute to our enemies' collection efforts through our responses to media interest," states a draft Defense Department memo, obtained by Inside Defense. "Individual pieces of information, though possibly insignificant taken alone, when aggregated provide robust information about our capabilities and weaknesses."

Again, reporting the news is "helping the enemy", as is simply AGGREGATING (compiling) publicly-available, nonclassified data.

Now from The Columbia Journalism Review:

"Earlier this year, a newspaper published details of a new anti-IED technology that was being developed," said Bush. "Within five days of the publication -- using details from that article -- the enemy had posted instructions for defeating this new technology on the Internet. We cannot let the enemy know how we're working to defeat him."

First of all, Bush was lying (big shock, I know.) The information in that article had been publicly available for MONTHS. Second, Bush is repeating the refrain that aggregating public data is helping the enemy. I mean, the president of the company building the anti-IED technology was previously interviewed on Fox News, and the White House didn't accuse Neil Cavuto of aiding terrorism. (as though.)

And there's even more:

Threats of jailing journalists
Confiscating newspaper computers
RECLASSIFYING of previously unclassified documents
Attempts to keep unclassified stuff secret by labeling it SBU (sensitive but unclassified)
New laws to punish whistleblowers and journalists who report illegal government programs

And the list goes on and on...

What we're seeing is a trend from this administration against free speech, against freedom of the press, and towards a secrecy state where citizens are kept ignorant, government cannot be held accountable, and the state wields total control over the flow of information in this country.

Despite acquittal, cops continue persecution

2006-03-14T15:13:00.000-08:00

From the Peoria Journal Star:

A second man featured on the Peoria police Web site has been found not guilty of soliciting sex, but his mug shot will remain until August.
"Why are they arresting people when they're not committing a crime?" asked Jason, who was found "not guilty" last week by a Peoria County jury.

"I feel like I've been slandered," said the 26-year-old Pekin man, who requested his last name not be published.

He is among 29 men featured since July on the Peoria Police Department's Web site, which includes the mug shots and personal information of those arrested on solicitation of sex charges, commonly called "johns." The information is posted for one year, regardless of how the cases are decided in court.

Reminds me of how some states keep DNA, despite people being released/cleared of crimes, "just in case".

Cops pulling over GOOD drivers

2006-03-14T13:47:00.000-08:00

Story from the Hartford Courant. Not only are cops pulling people over for driving WELL, they're punishing by subjecting them to crappy minor-league baseball.

Bush Administration Plan: Report Our Crimes, Get Arrested

2006-03-13T07:54:00.000-08:00

Washington Post:

WASHINGTON -- Reporters who write about government surveillance could be prosecuted under proposed legislation that would solidify the administration's eavesdropping authority, according to some legal analysts who are concerned about dramatic changes in U.S. law.

An aide for the guy who drafted it said it DOESN'T apply to reporters, but the Post reports:

The draft would add to the criminal penalties for anyone who "intentionally discloses information identifying or describing" the Bush administration's terrorist surveillance program or any other eavesdropping program conducted under a 1978 surveillance law.

That's pretty broad. The scary thing is that the "identifying or describing" information doesn't necessarily have to be describing or identifying anything that is classified or harmful - the bill just apparently covers ANY information on those topics.

I hope either I'm reading it wrong, or it simply doesn't pass. But this president tends to get his way, and his way usually tends to be bad.

We're already having a crisis of weak-kneed media, afraid to report the truths about what these people do. No one wants to be branded a terrorist sympathizer (the common comeback for administration critics). This bill will stop whistleblowers from coming forward, and stop important stories from being reported. Which is, of course, the entire purpose.

Sandra Day O'Connor: USA at beginning of dictatorship

2006-03-10T10:13:00.000-08:00

At least, that's what I got out of it. Story here, read it for yourself. Here's an excerpt:

I, said O’Connor, am against judicial reforms driven by nakedly partisan reasoning. Pointing to the experiences of developing countries and former communist countries where interference with an independent judiciary has allowed dictatorship to flourish, O’Connor said we must be ever-vigilant against those who would strongarm the judiciary into adopting their preferred policies. It takes a lot of degeneration before a country falls into dictatorship, she said, but we should avoid these ends by avoiding these beginnings.

Army's plan to scare Iraq troops into sticking around: Arrest Vietnam era deserters

2006-03-07T15:05:00.000-08:00

from USA TODAY:

WASHINGTON — In the summer of 1965, Marine Cpl. Jerry Texiero quietly disappeared from his California base, plagued by personal demons and a mounting opposition to the Vietnam War.
Forty years later, in the summer of 2005, Texiero — now known as Gerome Conti — was taken into custody by police in Tarpon Springs, Fla., after the Marine Corps tracked him down.

Thirty years after the war ended, hundreds of Vietnam-era deserters are still on the loose. Conti's attorneys, Louis Font and Tod Ensign, say the Pentagon, and the Marine Corps in particular, are cracking down on long-term cases in an effort to warn current-day troops in Iraq against deserting.

Wow. Here's his punishment:

Conti was held for five months — four in solitary confinement — then given an other-than-honorable discharge in January. If he had been court-martialed and convicted, he could have faced three years in the brig and a dishonorable discharge.

Heart-warming.

On-Duty Cops Caught on Tape Partying Drunk With Underage Girls (In Uniform)

2006-03-07T12:17:00.000-08:00

story here.

Monmouth Police Chief Brad Ziegler says he's very disappointed with the incident. The officers were disciplined in September. He wouldn't say what their punishment was, but did say the situation's been resolved. All 3 cops there that night are now back on duty.

I know I would have lost MY job for that. I'm glad to see the cops, who "enforce laws" are held to lower standards than those of us who are supposed to obey them.

"Suckiest State in the Union" tries to ban web anonymity

2006-03-07T08:58:00.000-08:00

This is a quote from the proposed bill in New Jersey:

The operator of any interactive computer service or an Internet service provider shall establish, maintain and enforce a policy to require any information content provider who posts written messages on a public forum website either to be identified by a legal name and address, or to register a legal name and address with the operator of the interactive computer service or the Internet service provider through which the information content provider gains access to the interactive computer service or Internet, as appropriate.

link

Fourth Amendment Luggage Tape!

2006-03-07T08:29:00.000-08:00

EFF Chairman Brad Templeton sez, "Since I kept getting cards in my luggage every time I checked a bag describing how the bags had been searched "for my protection" I designed some shipping tape that has the U.S. 4th amendment printed on it in an endless loop. You can put it on packages, or over the zipper of your luggage. Now, if they want to search your stuff, they have to literally slice the 4th amendment in half in order to do it. Ok, it may not stop them but it's a nice metaphorical statement of protest.

Found via BoingBoing. Emphasis mine.

My friend Kirsten gave me something similar, a metal card for my wallet with the fourth amendment on it. Whenever I go through a metal detector, it goes off, and I must produce the amendment to pass. Because it has sharp edges, the card could be confiscated at the discretion of security - the fourth amendment could literally be confiscated!

Army: Liberal sites censored, Republican sites okay!

2006-03-06T20:22:00.000-08:00

You may have read that the U.S. Army censors what sites troops can see while in Iraq. Here's a short list, courtesy of Wonkette:

BAD:

Wonkette – “Forbidden, this page (http://www.wonkette.com/) is categorized as: Forum/Bulletin Boards, Politics/Opinion.”
Air America (www.airamericaradio.com) – “Forbidden, this page (http://www.airamericaradio.com/) is categorized as: Internet Radio/TV, Politics/Opinion.”
Al Franken Show (www.alfrankenshow.com) – “Forbidden, this page (http://www.airamericaradio.com/) is categorized as: Internet Radio/TV, Politics/Opinion.”

GOOD:

Bill O’Reilly (www.billoreilly.com) – OK
Rush Limbaugh (www.rushlimbaugh.com) – OK
G. Gordon Liddy Show (www.liddyshow.us) – OK

So, the Army doesn't feel troops are grown up to decide what to read. They need pre-approved sites - and then, only sites fitting a specific political agenda.

BTW, the Republican-approved group includes a man who paid a woman to cover up his sexual harrassment, a drug addict who paid his maid to get drugs for him, and a convicted felon ex-convict.

Almost 2/3 of America are snitches?

2006-03-06T09:01:00.000-08:00

story here.

WASHINGTON - If you knew your neighbors had cheated on their taxes, should you turn them in? More than 3 out of 5 people surveyed by the IRS Oversight Board said you should.

The board, which provides independent oversight and advice for the Internal Revenue Service, found 62 percent of people surveyed completely or mostly agreed that "it is everyone's personal responsibility to report anyone who cheats on their taxes."

Is this story true? Or did more people respond in a snitch-esque manner because the poll was done by the "IRS Oversight Board", and they feared being flagged if they responded otherwise?

Isn't this religious discrimination?

2006-03-03T09:10:00.000-08:00

Canada is now allowing Sikh daggers in schools.

What if I'm not a Sikh, but I have a dagger too. Are they saying I can't bring it?

This is the worst kind of discrimination, giving special treatment of one religion over others. I'm sure children of all religions would like to bring daggers to school. I know when I was a child, I always wanted to bring one, but the cops that patrolled our schools frowned upon that.

Oh, to be a Sikh.

We actually have similar discrimination here in the USA. For example, some Native American groups are allowed to partake in certain drugs that would be illegal to the rest of us.

If my mother is a Sikh and my father Native American, can I bring a knife to school while tripping on peyote? I think these are legitimate questions, people!

Bush & Co: Torture Ban doesn't apply to Gitmo

2006-03-03T08:51:00.000-08:00

Bush administration lawyers, fighting a claim of torture by a Guantanamo Bay detainee, yesterday argued that the new law that bans cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment of detainees in U.S. custody does not apply to people held at the military prison.

"And I'm proud to be an American..."

God save us from the "Millenials"

2006-03-03T08:24:00.000-08:00

I'd never heard of "millenials". You've heard of Generation X, right? Every generation has their own title, apparently, and people born from 1982 on are called "Millenials".

Some scholars at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School did a study of these youngsters, and found some disturbing results.

Nearly 70% of Millennials agreed with the statement that "Authority figures should set and enforce rules" – compared to around 40% of GenXers.
60% of Millennials agreed with the statement, "I trust authority figures to act in my best interest." Only 40% of GenXers agreed.
Nearly 60% of Millennials said they "felt comfortable asking for special treatment," while only 40% of GenXers felt that way.

Be very afraid. These people will be running things in the not too distant future.

Paying your credit card bill is a NATIONAL SECURITY MATTER!

2006-03-02T14:58:00.000-08:00

Wow, Big Brother really is watching you.

They paid down some debt. The balance on their JCPenney Platinum MasterCard had gotten to an unhealthy level. So they sent in a large payment, a check for $6,522.

And an alarm went off. A red flag went up. The Soehnges' behavior was found questionable.

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After sending in the check, they checked online to see if their account had been duly credited. They learned that the check had arrived, but the amount available for credit on their account hadn't changed.

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They were told, as they moved up the managerial ladder at the call center, that the amount they had sent in was much larger than their normal monthly payment. And if the increase hits a certain percentage higher than that normal payment, Homeland Security has to be notified. And the money doesn't move until the threat alert is lifted.

It's nice to know we're being protected by terrorists who... pay their credit balances off.

Weird Torture Techniques at Gitmo

2006-02-28T15:17:00.000-08:00

excerpt:

Military interrogators posing as FBI agents at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, wrapped terrorism suspects in an Israeli flag and forced them to watch homosexual pornography under strobe lights during interrogation sessions that lasted as long as 18 hours, according to one of a batch of FBI memos released Thursday.

Story link and heated debate going on here. Read the debate. Which side do you fall on?